Headlight



R. B. BENJAMIN.

HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 27,1919- Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

REUBEN JB. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01" ILLI- HEADLIGHT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

Application filed February 27, 1919. Serial No. 279,659.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Headlights, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a headlight and and in which the lamp is universally ad-.

j ustable in all directions with respect to said reflector, said adjustment because of the improved means for holding the lamp, being quickly and conveniently performed.

In the drawings; Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation, partly in section, of a headlight, incorporating the improved lamp holding means, the section to the lamp holding means being taken on the plane illustrated by the line 1 1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 illustrates a rear view of the lamp holding means; 1

Fig. 3 is a top view thereof, and;

Fig. 4, is a detailed View of a split ring, fitted with a sectional, spheroidal surface, which constitutes one element of a ball and socket joint which permits universal adjustment.

As illustrated in the drawing, the headlight comprises a reflector 8. which is rigidly secured to the car, locomotive, or any other vehicle with which the headlight is to be used, by means of suitable brackets, such as 9. The central portion of the reflector 8, is fitted with an aperture 10, through which the illuminating means such as the lamp 11, projects from the lamp mounting means 12. The lamp mounting means comprises a split clamping ring mounting bracket 13, which consists of, a base 13 from which extends upwardly, two semi-circular arms or members 1t and 15, of a clamping ring. Each of these two semi-circular members 14a and 15 are fitted atthe upper end, with upwardly extending lugs or cars 16 and 17 respectively, each of which is apertured and threaded to receive the thumb screw or bolt 18.

Fitted inside of the clamping ring 13, is a split clamping ring 19, preferably constructed of a highly resilient metal, whereby .said ring will tend to spring apart at its open end, into the position illustrated in Fig. 4. The outer peripheral surface of the ring 19, as illustrated-in Fig. 1, has a convex shape as illustrated at 20, the convex surface of the outer surface of this ring terminating at the lateral edges thereof, in the flat surfaces 21 and 22, which are substantially at right angles to the side faces of said ring.

The inner surface of the clamping members 1 1 and 15 of the clamping ring 13, Where it is in contact with the ring 19, has a concave surface to conform with the convexity of the ring 19, whereby the members 141 and 15, and the ring 19, constitute a ball and socket joint, by virtue of which, the ring 19 may be moved to any desired angular position, within theclamping members 14: and 15 of the clamping ring bracket 18. The angular movement of the ring 19, and the clamping members 1 1 and 15, is limited in extent, by tlie fiat lateral edge surfaces 21 and 22 of the ring, together with the angularly disposed lateral shoulders 23 and 24, with which the clamping members 14: and 15 are fitted.

Thus, for example, when the lamp 11 is tilted, out of the horizontal position as indicated in full lines in Fig. 1, to an angular position such as indicated in broken lines in said figure, the flat lateral edge 21, Will contact with the angular surface 23, of the clamping ring, when the lamp is tilted to its maximum angular displacement. The lat eral edges of the clamping members 1 1 and 15, and of the ring 19, consequently function as butting stops for limiting the angular movement of the lamp 11, with respect to the reflector 8.

Fitted within the ring 19, is any desirable form of electric light socket 25, through the medium of which current is carried from the conductors 26, to the contacts of the socket and to the lamp 11. The base 13 of the lamp mounting bracket is rigidly secured to any portion of the car, locomotive, etc, 2?, by means of bolts such as 28, 29, and their a ciated ant-s 3t and 31.

The manipulation of the lamp support ma now be briefly described as follows:

For this purpose, it will be assumed that the socket 25 is inclosed within the ring 19, and the. said ring 19 within the members 14 and 15 of the-clamping ring 13, and that the lamp is positioned in its horizontal position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

If it is desired now, to move the lamp and its associated socket forward in the reflector, the bolt 18 is loosened, which in turn, will remove the force which tends to draw the members 14 and 15 together, and which in turn, press the resilient split ring clamp 19, tightly against the socket 25, thereby firmly holding the socket and ring in a permanent position with respect to one another.

The bolt 18, having been loosened, and the pressure of the clamping members 14 and 15 having been removed, the pressure exerted by the split ring 19 upon the socket 25 is likewise removed. The socket is hence free to move under the application of very slight pressure, in a direction normal to the vertical plane of the brackets and consequently, permits horizontal adjustment of the lamp 11, with respect to the reflector 8. I When the horizontal adjustment of the lamp 11 with respect to the reflector 8 has been determined, the angular position of the lamp 111 with respect to the reflector, is readily attained by moving the lamp either up or down to the right or left, or to any intermediate angular position, as is desired. This movement is accomplished by the rotation of the convex outer peripheral surface 20, of the split ring, in the concave surface of the supporting members 14 and 15 of the bracket 13.- Tu this movement, the ring 19 may be moved about the clamping members 14 and 15, because of the sectional ball and socket contact between the members 14 and 15 and the ring 19, as hereinbefore described. The angular displacement between the ring 19 and the supporting members 14 and 15, is controlled and limited by the lateral edges 21 and 22 of the ring 19, and 23 and 24 of the members 14 and 15.

The lamp having been adjusted to the desired horizontal and angular position with respect to the reflector, it can then be held in this position by tightening the thumb screw 18, which acts on the split members 14 and 15, and through them, on the ring 19, to permanently and rigidly hold the socket, and eonsequently the lamp, in the adjusted position. I

be very easily and quickly tightened to hold the lamp in the desired position with respect to the reflector, the means for holding the lamp being constructed so that there is no danger of a shifting of positions, the lamp being very rigidly and securely held. The lamp adjusting mechanism, constructed in accordance with this invention, comprises a very simple means constructed of few parts in which the danger of rattling, and other annoyances and inconveniences is substantially limited. 1

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the specific form thereof herein illustrated and described, but is capable of many variations and other applications, without departing from its spirit and scope, as set forth port, shoulder portions on said ring, and a resilient second split ring for holding a lamp standard, said second ring embodying means co-acting with said shoulder portions for limiting the tilting movement of said standard.

2. In a lamp support for a headlight, a split clamping ring provided with a concave inner surface and having shoulders formed thereon, a second split clamping ring disposed within said first ring and comprising a section of a hollow sphere whereby resiliency is imparted thereto, andmeans integral with said second ring for simultaneously grasping a lamp standard, and for limiting the angular movement thereof.

3. In a lamp support for a headlight, a split clamping ring provided with a concave inner surface and having shoulders formed thereon, and a second split clamping ring comprising a section of a hollow sphere whereby resiliency is imparted thereto, shoulders being formed at the edges of said spherical section to grasp a lamp standard and to limit the angular movement thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. 

